Visiting Thailand during the Songkran new year festival

Songkran is a Thai festival that marks the start of the Thai New Year. This traditional festival has transformed over the years, from giving temple offerings to the biggest water festival in Thailand!

If you're looking for cultural festivals in southeast Asia or specifically want to join a Thailand Songkran holiday, we've covered everything you need to know with our definitive guide.

Why is Songkran significant?

Songkran is important because it marks the Thai New Year, symbolising renewal and fresh beginnings. Water plays a central role in this festival, representing purification and the washing away of bad luck.

Younger generations gently pour water over elders hands for blessings, developing a community spirit. And it's this togetherness that has transformed this water festival into new heights, as thousands come together to join water fights. In fact, if you visit Thailand during Songkran, there's a strong chance you'll join the celebrations!

A unique time to visit Thailand

Offering an authentic cultural experience mixed in with a whole lot of fun, Songkran is an essential part of Thai culture. During the festival, the country comes alive with lively water fights in the streets, colourful processions, traditional rituals and family gatherings. A joyful atmosphere is marked with music, dance, water fights and temple visits, creating one of the most iconic festivals in Thailand.

Beyond the fun, Songkran provides a deeper understanding of Thai culture and tradition, making it an unforgettable and unique adventure in this southeast Asian hotspot.

The history and origins of Songkran

The word 'Songkran' comes from the ancient Sanskrit language, deriving from the Sanskrit word 'sankranti'. This refers to the passage of the sun moving into Aries and symbolises transformation and change.

Songkran marks the start of the Thai New Year and it's a time for spiritual renewal, where people visit temples, make offerings and cleanse Buddha statues. Water became a symbol of purification and good fortune, and over time, the festival has adapted to include lively water fights.

These Thai water festival traditions blend ancient rituals with modern-day celebrations that draws crowds from around the world.

Traditional practices

Traditional Songkran practices include pouring water over the hands of elders, visiting temples to offer food to monks and pray for good fortune, and cleansing Buddha statues with water. Families gather for meals and clean the home to welcome in the Thai New Year. These practices reflect the values of respect, renewal and spiritual growth.

Another long-lasting aspect of Songkran is its cuisine. Families gather together to celebrate Songkran by tucking into traditional Thai New Year food, from comforting Pad Krapow to moreish mango sticky rice. Another Thai New Year food speciality is Thung Thong: crispy fried wontons packed with pork or prawns. Thung Thong is also known as 'Thai Money Bags' because of its pouch-like shape.

Modern day celebrations

Today, Songkran is best known for its public water fights. Locals and tourists alike take over the streets to throw water over each other with water guns, buckets and hoses. In big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, beautifully adorned procession floats parade along the streets, while fire dances are common on the beaches of southern Thailand.

Temple visits and cleansing rituals still play a role, but Songkran's wider focus has shifted towards this communal, outdoor fun for all ages to enjoy.

When is Songkran 2025?

Songkran takes place between 13-15 April 2025. While this water festival in Thailand is typically celebrated over these three days, in certain regions the celebrations can last longer.

Songkran is celebrated in April to mark the Thai New Year and is a fantastic way to experience Thai culture in all its vibrancy, whether you're travelling solo, with friends or family, or with new-found friends on our small group tours!

Popular locations to celebrate Songkran
 

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai's Songkran events include joyous water fights, calming temple visits and lively street parades. With its strong historic heritage, Chiang Mai is an excellent place to celebrate Songkran.

Located in northern Thailand, the city is home to countless temples, where you can quietly celebrate Songkran. On the main streets, you can watch traditional floats and Buddha statues on parade while raucous water fights take place seemingly everywhere else in between.

Bangkok

There's no doubting that the Thai capital goes all-out when it comes to Songkran. Public water fights take place in major areas like Khao San Road and Silom, with an energetic atmosphere complemented with colourful parades, traditional dances and music.

Others also visit significant temples, like Wat Pho, to cleanse Buddha statues. Bangkok is one of the best places to celebrate the Songkran water festival.

Phuket

Phuket is a popular Thai island, but it becomes even bigger and better during Songkran. Patong Beach and the main streets transform into a playground for mass water fights, while others pay their respects at the red-roofed Wat Chalong. One of the most unique Songkran customs here involves people building sand pagodas at their local temples.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao isn't huge, but it's one of the most popular islands in southern Thailand to celebrate Songkran. Local processions and public water fights swell the little streets, and it's also common for white chalk paint to be smeared on your face - just don't expect it to stay in place for long!

Water fights and street celebrations

One of the main staples of modern-day Songkran celebrations, water fights have become synonymous with the Thai New Year. Water symbolises a ritual cleansing, and today everyone wants to make sure you're suitably doused in enough water to wash off misfortunes and welcome renewal for the year ahead.

Temple visits 

Temple visits are a traditional aspect of Songkran; this is a time where families pray, leave offerings or cleanse a Buddha statue with water. Whenever you visit a temple in Thailand, always remember to cover your knees and shoulders, keep noise to a minimum and respect your surroundings.

Cultural performances and parades

Vibrant performances and parades are a key feature of Songkran festivities, particularly in major destinations like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Huge, creative floats (usually in the shape of rafts, boats or temples) parade down the streets, accompanied by dancers in traditional costume and loud music.

In smaller spots like Koh Thai, locals drive vehicles adorned with flowers where water gun-wielding passengers and spectators soak each other.

1. Keep electronics, like your camera and phone, protected in a waterproof case.
2. Dress appropriately; lightweight, quick-drying clothes that you don't mind getting wet are best. If you're visiting temples, cover your shoulders and knees - this applies both during and outside of Songkran festival.
3. The weather in Thailand is hotter in April, so stay hydrated and drink plenty of water - especially if you're joining the exhilarating water fights!
4. Celebrate Songkran respectfully. While water fights are part of the fun, steer clear of those who clearly don't want to participate.
5. Leave your valuables behind, as they could get lost or damaged during the celebrations.

Places to visit during your trip

1. Sukhothai: The first capital of Siam (modern-day Thailand), Sukhothai is an ancient site located in central Thailand. With its distinctive architecture, sculptures and paintings, you can take in some of the 21 historical sites within the city walls and a further 70 outside.
2. Grand Palace, Bangkok: There's no missing this gleaming, glittering palace complex in Bangkok. The Grand Palace was constructed in the 18th century and was the former home of Thai royalty. Spend a few hours taking in the sacred Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
3. Chiang Mai: Studded with temple after temple, a walled Old City and an exhilarating night market, Chiang Mai is a popular city in northern Thailand. Experience the Lanna way of life with houses built from teak wood and orchards packed with banana, mango and coconut on our Upgraded - Discover Northern Thailand tour.
4. Koh Yao Yai: Join a local cooking class and whisk up some of the tastiest traditional Thai dishes. You'll learn all about the various ingredients that go into Thai cooking, from juicy mango to fresh herbs.
5. Khao Yai National Park: Ride through this impressive national park as part of a larger trip from Bangkok to Saigon, Vietnam. Take in panoramic views from the top of Thailand's largest dam before heading down to the base of a gorgeous waterfall.

Thailand’s wider cultural landscape

Defined by a rich Buddhist heritage, lively festivals, traditional cuisine and strong family values, Thailand's culture is as diverse as it is interesting. There are countless opportunities to understand the country's wider cultural landscape, whether that's watching local craftspeople perfect their textiles, paying your respects at a tranquil temple or joining local families for meals.